Google enters the wireless business with launch of Project Fi. It is a wireless service that lets you enjoy the best network wherever you go. It automatically connects you to more than a million free, reliable and verified Wi-Fi hotspots. They help secure your data through encryption. Project Fi intelligently connects to fastest network whether it is Wi-Fi or their partner LTE network.
Here’s what we know so far about Project Fi:
Works across multiple networks
Google has partnered with Sprint and T-Mobile to tap into more than a million free Wi-Fi hotspots across the world. This new offering by Google makes it a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) through partnerships with T-Mobile and Sprint. The service leverages the strongest possible network and intelligently switches from one network to another according to the needs. Also, when you are on an open, public Wi-Fi network, Google will encrypt the data to protect it from hackers.
As their official blog says,”Wherever you’re connected to Wi-Fi—whether that’s at home, your favorite coffee shop or your Batcave—you can talk and text like you normally do. If you leave an area of Wi-Fi coverage, your call will seamlessly transition from Wi-Fi to cell networks so your conversation doesn’t skip a beat.”
Cost
For now, Google is offering Fi Basics that cost $20 for a month. Users get talk, text and Wi-Fi tethering. Customers will pay a flat $10 per gigabit GB for cellular data while in U.S. and abroad. Data will cost $10/month for 1GB, $20/month for 2GB, $30/month for 3GB and so on. The feature that makes Google’s wireless service apart from other providers is that customers will get credit for full value of their unused data.
Nexus 6 Exclusive Service
Fi will be available in most US cities. Right now, Project Fi supports Nexus 6. New customers must be invited to sign up for the introductory phase of the service.
Hangouts
An interesting feature of Project Fi is how it integrates with Hangouts. Google can push texts and phone calls to any devices that have the Google Hangouts application. This extends the service from Nexus 6, to Chromebook, to your iPad and Windows PC as well. As it’s all tied into Google Hangouts, making calls from your number to any Hangouts-enabled device is a seamless experience.
Wrapping Up
Project Fi is in the early phase. The service aims to provide the best network between Wi-Fi and 4G LTE networks. Those who are interested and are Nexus 6 owners can check out Google’s page to apply as one of the first users of this new network.
Let us know your views about Project Fi in the comments below!
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